Penny Blood Serial Fiction — page 365: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

348 REYNOLDS’ WORKS ances. Presently Mr. Denison approached, and seizing an opportunity when Frank was talking to some others, the old gentleman whispered to Hawkshaw, ‘‘ You have brought us quite an acquisition this evening. I can assure you that a great number of ladies have already been asking Mrs. Denison who the interesting young stranger is.”’ “He is connected with one of the highest and noblest families of the British aristocracy,” responded the squire, aside to Mr. Denison. ‘“ He is well off, too,’ he added, with a smile, “‘ and if it be any satisfaction to the fair sex, you may safely whisper that on the day of his marriage his father will give him a fortune of a couple of thousand a year.” ‘“ Indeed! ”’ said Mr. Denison. ‘ He certainly is a most interesting and fascinating youth. Does he purpose to make a long stay in Lincolnshire? ”’ ‘“T am afraid not,’’ responded Hawkshaw. ‘“‘ I mean to keep him as long as I possibly can, but I know that he is very anxious to get back to London.”’ ‘“ That’s a pity,’ rejoined the old gentleman. ‘‘ However, we must make the most of him while he is in the county. By the bye,’’ he added, jocularly, at the same time poking the squire in the ribs, “ are you serious in your intentions in a certain quarter? You know where I mean. Come now, Hawkshaw, don’t make a mystery of it. All the county is talking of your constant visits to the castle. But it is also rumoured that Lady Saxondale herself is likely to change her condition, and that Lord Harold Staunton is to be the happy man. I don’t know how true it may be, but you at least ought to be in the secret.”’ ‘Well, I suppose,’’ responded the squire, laughing, though amidst some little degree of confusion, “‘ there is no use making a mystery of it. All that. you have surmised is correct. But don’t go and tell everybody that I am en- gaged to Miss Farefield. I only proposed yesterday, and you are the first person outside the walls of Saxondale Castle that I have mentioned it to. JI would much rather keep it as quiet as possible till the event comes off, for when these things get known, one is stared at, and so bantered, and I really can’t bear jesting on such a point.”’ ‘Well, well,’ answered Mr. Denison, laughing in his turn, ‘I will keep your secret, Hawkshaw. But the music Gomichbooks Eom |